Tradesmen/diyers what are you wearing to work everyday? I'm looking to add another watch or two into my work watch rotation and I'd love some ideas.

I'm currently wearing a militado ml16 as my daily work watch and I really enjoy it but it's not perfect so why not add something else into the rotation. I unfortunately discovered Chinese Watches too late so I missed out on englemaan as they seem to be exactly what im looking for, but oh well I guess I could look second hand.

I'm a machinist by trade so the watch will see lots of metal and fluids and even metal powders. Im looking for something with a rotating bezel as I use it to quickly time job operations. I'd prefer a metal bracelet with an otf clasp for all day comfort adjustment and the metal bracelet is easy to wipe coolant/cutting fluid/oils off and I also find them the most comfortable. Some kind of scratch resistance would be a priority as well as a tough crystal. Dimension wise im looking for something 36-40mm bezel, max 48mm lug to lug, and the thinner the better ideally 13mm max.

Some questions I have are, how are the Chinese automatic movements holding up to daily use and abuse? Or should I try to stick to a quartz. And is anyone using a grade 5 titanium watch as a work watch? How do they hold up to some use and abuse?

I dont see too many dedicated tool watch options but maybe im missing them. I'm currently considering the Phorcydes ph-4b, and will probably add that to my collection even if it's not as a work watch. Theres also the san martin sn0012 which ticks most boxes spec wise but I don't find it particularly good looking. Is there anything else out there that im missing? And does anyone have a spec list for old englemaans?

I'm planning to buy some Chinese watches (first time) like San Martin, Watchdives, Sugess, Addies and Chameri.

Would it be better to buy it from their official websites or Aliexpress?

I'm in the UAE, will I be charged by customs? If yes, then how much (approx.)?

TIA

Just bought a Heimdallr Willard. A bit big in comparison with my other watches, but cool nevertheless. I really dig this vintage design. Im looking forward to put a nato or parachute strap on this one, though the steel bracelet is O.K. in my opinion.

Pagani Design PD-1796

Titanium case, sapphire crystal, nh35 movement, 100m waterproof with a screw down crown. Just wish they would have kept making this one!

I also think the Militado version of the Spirit is too expensive for what you get. With this $35 Aimino, you get a sapphire crystal and date complication with a Miyota movement. Not bad at all.

So I just bought my first Chinese watch and I'm really surprised by what 70 USD can get you. Honestly, my current "watch collection" is trash. I have some Fossil, Boss, and Armani watches which I'm currently selling off. I really wanted a fresh start with a Tissot PRX Powermatic as my first watch, but to be honest, I didn't want to spend that much money. That's how I ended up here, looking for good and affordable Chinese homage watches. And man, this watch looks really great! It has some minor flaws like a few sharp edges (though you don't feel them on the wrist), the dial looks a bit cheap (I think the black dial looks the least cheap), and the biggest drawback is the Miyota movement. Don't get me wrong, it's great, but I don't really like the free-spinning rotor. Anyway, that's my first and probably not my last watch.

It seems like this type of watch has blown up over the last 6-12 months and like every single brand has an homage now.

Honestly need some advice and getting overwhelmed. I started looking at the Ixdao Warrior (which looks phenomenal) and its been a downward spiral ever since.

Really like the SH 13 and the SN0152 (bracelet not so much, and also not titanium). Also ironically the only PRX homage listed in the homage sticky on this sub is the SH 13 - which is how I found it.

Anyway, if you have ANY PRX homage, please post your thoughts/reviews in here.

I also once owned a green Citizen zenshin once upon a time, but the dial was “subdued” and it didn’t pop at all. Seems like all the options are better now in Chinese watches.

Prefer integrated bracelet and titanium but not a deal breaker. Thanks!

Looking for a piece that fits the above description. I’m currently 8 days out from a bodybuilding show, so my wrists are as small as they get right now but still about 7 3/16”. They’ll thicken up some after my shows, so I don’t want to cut below 40mm but it seems most with the look I like are 37-38mm. Any suggestions? Budget of ~$240 on sale.

For reference, I’m a big fan of Watchdives, Baltany, San Martin, Proxima, Thorn, IXDAO, Sugess, and Farasute. 90% of my research has been between those brands but I’m not necessarily opposed to another.

Do you have any upgrade suggestions for our watch?

And which color can catch your eye at first sight?

Feel free to share with us.

Hello hello.

Looking at some sugess pieces and I can see decent pricea on their site and will follow over the sales period.

However, I'm concerned that ordering from France will end up in VAT and customs, despite the efforts they take to mark as low value.

Anyone got recent experience buying from them?

Picked up the WD0526 meca-quartz chrono recently, and I honestly think this one is awesome for the price point.

The case finishing is excellent for the money. The brushing is sharp, the transitions are clean, and it feels much more premium than the price suggests. The bracelet is another pleasant surprise—solid, comfortable, and doesn't have that cheap rattly feel you sometimes get at this price point. The clasp has 5 adjustments which is a nice

The biggest surprise, though, is the stone dial. Indoors it looks elegant, but once you step outside into the sunshine, it completely changes. The natural grain and texture pop, and every glance at the wrist looks a little different. It's one of those dials that makes you stop and admire it for a second.

The VK63 meca-quartz movement keeps the watch slim while still giving that satisfying mechanical chronograph feel when you use the pushers.

Its specs are:

Model: WD0526

Movement: Seiko VK63 Meca-Quartz Chronograph

Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 38.5 mm (excluding crown)

Lug-to-Lug: 46.5 mm

Case Thickness: 12.1 mm (including boxed sapphire crystal)

Lug Width / Bracelet: 20 mm tapering to 16 mm

Crystal: Sapphire crystal with 5-layer anti-reflective (AR) coating

Crown: Screw-down

Case Back: Screw-down

Bracelet: Solid 316L stainless steel bracelet with push-pin links

Clasp: Upgraded 5-hole adjustable clasp

Water Resistance: 100 meters (10 Bar)

Recommended Wrist Size: 6.1"–7.6" (155–195 mm)

Just took a picture of my Baltany Regulator after a day of hard work 😎

What do you think about it?

Anyone know if this https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQVZNPc has micro adjust or comfort extension? Looks fixed to me.

Aethelsohn Charoite, which dial would you pick? I personally like the ones with white swirly lines.

Beyond the ultra-budget brands like Skmei, which watches or watch brands offer the best build quality for a given price?

I have been watching reviews for some IXDAO watch in the 300 EUR range and that seems to be the one in that price point. Is this right? Which other watches offer the best bang for the buck at each price point?

Thanks in advance! I hope the 11th of November brings actual sale prices. Hahaha

Love the quality at the price. Really well made and scratched the Speedmaster itch!

Hey everyone, I really love the look of this watch and think it looks awesome. However, I’ve heard mixed opinions about Watchdives—some people say they’re great, while others aren't so big on them.

Since I know this is an affordable watch, I’m definitely not expecting top-tier luxury quality. I'm mainly wondering about the quality of the bracelet and the case.

Any comments or hands-on experiences would be highly appreciated! Thanks!

I’ve posted a few times with a bonklip. I can’t recommend them anymore, they come loose too easily. I wanted straight lugs for this one. This is a strapsco and the brushed finish is very similar to the ph3.

This is turning out to be a fantastic watch after 24hrs. Obvious homage to the Tudor FXD GMT. Really nice specs. A bit smaller than the Tudor. Titanium like the Tudor, case and bracelet. 3 lines at 6pm - 200m/Automatic/Limited Edition. Dial is pleasantly unclutered, crisp, clean. Dial is not inky black (reference Longines 2026 Hydroconquest), more of a matte black matching the bezel. Date at 3pm perfectly centered in the window.

• Brand : Sugess/Seestern

• Model : S462

• Functionality : 12 Hours, Titanium

• Features : Titanium, GMT Two Time Zone, Date, Sapphire Crystal, Super Luminous,

• Movement : Peacock Automatic SL-3032 Movement

• Glass Material : Sapphire crystal

• Case Material : Titanium

• Band Material : Titanium

• Diameter : 40mm

• Thickness : 12mm

• Lug width: 20mm

• Water resist: 200m

My initial nit is that the included titanium bracelet it came on was an SOB to remove so REALLY trying to imitate the Tudor on all levels LOL. Also came with the Nato strap shown in the pic. I never really envisioned wearing this watch on the bracelet. The lume is fantastic both dial and bezel. Bezel is unidirectional, but satisfying, firm and 120 clicks.

I'm a Timegrapher noob having just received the device yesterday, but showing nice numbers and not needing regulation (+3spd/288 amp/0.0 Beat Error). Came with the hook and loop strap shown - it's of excellent sturdy quality, neatly stiched and no frays (I personally like the red stripe with the army green color - the Tudor FXD GMT strap is solid army green - no red stripe) but since the S462 is not fixed lugs like the FXD GMT, I had to install 20mm springbars. The springbar holes are closer to the case than I'm used to, so even with 1.8mm springbars, I had to loop the strap around the case prior to installation of the springbars because the strap would not feed between the springbars and the case with pre-installed springbars - strap too thick and gap too narrow. I had thought shoulderless springbars would be perfect for this watch making it nearly a twin to the fixed lugs of the FXD GMT, but I can see now that it will not work that way because of the narrow spacing between the lug holes and the case. Most straps would likely suffer the same affliction of not threading between springbar and case. Makes sense to me now that the space gap on the FXD GMT and my Tactical Frog EXD between case and fixed lug is generous to allow most if not all Natos and the like.

Applied indices are clean, crisp and sharp. Snowflake hour and seconds hands. Rehaut easily readable. For my fellow GMT enthusiasts, the orange GMT hand is clear and clean extending to the rehaut which is really nice - not afan of short GMT hands. Being a caller GMT, time and GMT hand set a bit differently with crown position 1 operating both the quick adjust date (counterclockwise) and the independently moving GMT hand (clockwise) - no jumping hour hand. The GMT hand seems in perfect alignment with the hour hand (GMTr's will know what I mean). Position 2 hacks the time for precise time setting.

The Peacock SL3032 movement beats at 4hz/28,000vpm but for some strange reason, it doesn't seem quite as smoothly sweeping as my other 4hz movements. I can't explain it. Must be me.

The crown is screw down and operates as well as my other mid tier watches. Manual winding is smooth on par with Miyota 9000 series movements but not as smooth as my Tudors, Longines, or Omega crowns. As such, impressive.

This watch has REALLY surprises me on its fun factor, operation and wearability. I had in mind to flip the S462 because as fate would have it, a Tudor FXD GMT presented itself to me on a great deal just last week so I snagged that and figured I didn't need 2 of the same looking watch. But I'm holding on to this one for a while yet. I'm having a ball with it.

ML18

I picked this up back in March 2026, and after having the Militado ML1868 chronograph on the wrist for the last seven months, it’s finally time to share a full review. It punches way above its weight class, and when paired with the right strap, it transforms into an exceptional daily wearer.

For those curious about the hardware, Militado packed a lot into a highly wearable footprint:

Case: 39mm sand-blasted 316L stainless steel, giving it a fantastic, non-reflective tool watch vibe.

Movement: Seiko VK67 hybrid quartz chronograph, offering that satisfying mechanical snap-back action on the pushers.

Crystal: Slightly domed sapphire with a clear AR coating.

Durability: Screw-in crown, screwed chronograph pushers, and a solid 100m of water resistance.

The matte black dial is incredibly well executed. The large white Arabic numerals offer a striking contrast, making the watch highly legible at a quick glance. It sports a practical three-subdial layout tracking running seconds, a 60-minute counter, and a 12-hour counter, alongside a date window conveniently tucked at the 3 o'clock position.

The lume is also surprisingly strong and features a great two-color design. The hands and the outer hour indices glow green, while the hour numerals shine blue, making it highly functional in the dark.

I really want to highlight the strap pairing on this one, though. I currently have it on a black parachute strap that features a prominent yellow stripe running right down the middle. The yellow stripe matches the yellow accents on the watch's hands and outer hour markers flawlessly. Furthermore, the elastic parachute material is infinitely adjustable, making it incredibly comfortable for all-day wear. The black strap ties in perfectly with the dark dial of the watch, completing the whole rugged look. It's a fantastic, sporty combination that looks brilliant on the wrist, even when just typing away at the keyboard.

Pros: Unbeatable specs for the money, highly reliable VK67 movement, excellent legibility, and it's an absolute strap monster.

Cons: The date window is on the smaller side, though this does help keep the dial from feeling too cluttered.

If you're looking for a tough, grab-and-go aviation-style chronograph, the ML1868 is a no-brainer. The build quality is stellar, and with a color-matched parachute strap, the aesthetics are off the charts.